DAY 12: The Story of Saigon and Vietnam

Vietnam brings back a horrid past for the USA.  We lost the Vietnam War, our worst defeat in history.  Here is a video attesting that the defeat was worse than you thought.

The country is officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with today a population of 102 million, ranking #15 in the world.  The capital is Hanoi, while the largest city is Ho Chi Minh City.

Some history,

• Was inhabited by the Paleolithic age in the first millennium BC.
• Came under Chinese rule from 111 BC until 939 AD.
• During the 17th and 18th centuries, Vietnam had two domains.
• One of them surrendered to France in 1883, and was named French Indochina.
• In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the Viet Minh, led by Ho Chi Minh, launched the August Revolution, declaring Vietnam's independence in 1945.
• But France returned to reclaim colonial power, and the U.S. began to encroach in the early 50's.

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  There was prolonged warfare until a treaty was signed in 1954 between the Viet Minh and France, when the country was split in communist North Vietnam, supported by the Soviet Union and China, and anti-communist South Vietnam, supported by the USA.  
• The French too left tarnished.  The Battle of Dien Bien Phu, located in the north near the Laotian border, effectively ended French colonial rule in Indochina.
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  The Vietnam War escalated in 1965 and peaked in 1973, with 543,000 American personnel stationed there.  
• When this war ended in 1975 with the Fall of Saigon, 3.1 million U.S. troops had been stationed in Vietnam.  
• 58,279 Americans were killed.  
• In comparison, 36,574 died in the Korean War and 418,500 in World War II.

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  So Vietnam (earlier spelled Viet Nam), first was given that name in 1804, but common usage actually began only in 1945.
• Their flag to the right.

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  Some fun facts.
• Ho Chi Minh's embalmed body can be observed in Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi.
• Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groups.
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  The world's largest cave, Hang SonDoong, is located near the border with Laos.

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  The national flower is the lotus.
• Has 77 million registered motorbikes.
• Nguyen is the most common surname.

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  While rare, it does snow in the winter on some mountain peaks.
• Is the world's largest exporter of cashew nuts.

Here are 10 films that defined the Vietnam War.  However, there is an eleventh, the 1987 Good Morning, Vietnam, with Rotten Tomatoes ratings of 90/82.  Starred Robin Williams.  Takes place in Saigon.

Saigon is an impressive city with a population of more than 14 million, which would put it as the 23rd largest in world, jut above Rio de Janeiro.  However, most lists use 9.8 million, which would rank Ho Chi Minh City at #38 to London at #37 with 9.8 million.  Note that New York City in this list is only #49 with 8.4 million.

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  Sai Gon first appeared around 1674, but became Gia Dinh in 1698.
• When France captured the city in the 1860s, they westernized the spelling to Saǐgon.
• Was renamed in 1976 to Ho Chi Minh City.

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  Yet, Saigon remains a beloved nickname, while Ho Chi Minh City is the official name, and used in documents and politics.
• Saigon refers more to the vibrant downtown (District 1).
• Saigon carries connotations to its past as a French colony.

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  Airport retained SGN, and it is the Sai Gon Railway Station.  Saigon Beer.
• Saigon and HCMC used interchangeably today.
• Saigon use is not considered to be particularly sensitive.
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  Some fun facts about Ho Chi Minh City.
• Had 7.4 million tourists in 2024, and would like to see 9.5 million international visitors in 2025.
• Is Vietnam's modern city.
• Carry the Vietnam Dong for smaller purchases. 26,360 Vietnamese dong to the U.S. dollar.

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  There are 13 million residents, plus up to 9 million motorbikes.  Around 20 motorbikes for each car.  Traffic accidents and fatality rates are among the highest in the world.  I fear crossing any street.  
• Yet, to be fair, Vietnam is only #177, with 30.6 deaths/100,000 inhabitants.  There are 14 countries with higher rates, almost all in Africa, although Thailand is #181 and Tonga #183.  At the bottom is Zimbabwe, with 41.2 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.   The USA is #111 at 14.2.

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  City has over 80 universities and colleges, the most notable being Vietnam National University.
• French influence remains, especially for food.  Has a rich coffee culture. Great baguettes and croissants. Fine French restaurants.

Yesterday was Day 11 on the Diamond Princess from Yokohama to Singapore.  Lunch came in three parts.  First the usual ramen bowl with additives, plus a rosé wine and Stella beer.

Added a fried chicken.

Then a chocolate cone.  Note that we were at sea.

Pre-dinner drinks.

Then to the Pacific Moon for dinner.  Caesar Salad and Cream of Tomato Soup, with a Silverado Cabernet Sauvignon.

New York Steak for dinner.  Skinniest NYS I've ever seen.

The after-dinner drinks and dessert menu.  But we realized karaoke was beginning in Club Fusion.

One thing you should never do is sing a brand new karaoke song in public.  Thought I'd try John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Home.  Well, did not go well.

We walked by the portion of the ship where there was a farewell party, for this was the final night for many of the passengers.

Walked only 2748 steps today.

Day 12 will also be Day 1 on the second phase of our cruise on Diamond Princess, for we docked this morning in Singapore.

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